Austin TX vs Madison WI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Madison
11.6%
White
Austin
59.9%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 275,568 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 11.6% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.5% | 7.1% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 8.0% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 9.3% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $76,983 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $48,557 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 16.2% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Austin +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.7% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.8% | Austin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.2% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 37.3 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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